Why Settlements are Illegal

International humanitarian law is very clear that occupation must only be temporary; the Israeli settlements are in direct violation of this principle. For instance, the settlements are in breach of Article 49 of the 4th Geneva Convention[1], which forbids an occupier from transferring its own civilians into the territory it occupies. Additionally, according to Article 55 of the Hague Regulations[2], the occupying power’s role is to safeguard occupied properties and maintain the status quo.

As the international development organization Diakonia explains[3], the construction of settlements violates this article because of the major changes it inflicts upon the occupied territory. And, according to Article 43 of the Hague Regulations[4], the occupying power must uphold order and safety while respecting the laws of the occupied country. Yet as Diakonia also explains[3], the settlements actually undermine public order and violate existing laws.

See also the following pages from the B’tselem (The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories) website: